Coprosma plant named ‘Ignite’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Coprosma repens  named ‘IGNITE’ is disclosed, characterized by Greyed-Purple foliage with a red and greyed-purple margin and glossy, ovate leaves. Plant habit is dense and round. The new cultivar is a  Coprosma repens , typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Coprosma repens.

Variety denomination: ‘IGNITE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is the result of chance discovery in a commercialnursery in Waikato, New Zealand. The inventor, Peter Fraser, discoveredthe new variety as a single branch, naturally occurring mutation growingin a planting of the parent variety Coprosma repens ‘Evening Glow’,unpatented. The discovery was made in the April of 2009. Firstpropagation was performed by vegetative cuttings during the Summer of2009 in Waikato, New Zealand. Multiple additional generations have beenpropagated. This subsequent propagation has shown the unique features ofthis cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

The inventor has filed for Plant Breeder's Rights in Australia, with agrant date of Sep. 12, 2012, application number 2012/173. Additionally,the inventor has filed for Plant Breeder's Rights in New Zealand,receiving grant number 30979 Apr. 29, 2014. The inventor filed theseapplications before any sales of ‘Ignite’ began. First sale of ‘Ignite’occurred within one year of the filing of this US application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘IGNITE’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘IGNITE’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘IGNITE’ as a new and distinct Coprosmacultivar:

-   -   1. Vibrant foliage with a Greyed-Purple center and Red and        Greyed-Purple margin.    -   2. Ovate foliage shape.    -   3. Dense plant growth.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IGNITE’ are similar to the parent, ‘EveningGlow’ in most horticultural characteristics. However, ‘IGNITE’ differsin foliage color. Foliage of the new variety is distinctly greyed-purplein the center, with a red and purple margin. Foliage of the parentvariety is light pink, green and yellow. Plants of the new variety growmore densely than plants of the parent variety.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘IGNITE’ can be compared to the patentedcommercial variety Coprosma ‘Inferno’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,260. Plantsof ‘IGNITE’ are similar to ‘Inferno’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, ‘IGNITE’ has ovate compared to oblong foliage.Foliage of the new variety is distinctly greyed-purple in the center,with a red and purple margin. Foliage of this comparator isGreyed-Purple with Green. Additionally, plants of the new variety aredenser than plants of this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color typicalfoliage of the new variety.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘IGNITE’ grownoutdoors in Waikato, New Zealand. This plant is approximately 18 months.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘IGNITE’ plants grown outdoors in Waikato, NewZealand. Temperatures ranged from approximately 0° C. to 10° C. at nightto 2° C. to 18° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodictreatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Measurementsand numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Coprosma repens ‘IGNITE’.-   Age of the plant described: Approximately 200 days from a rooted    cutting.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 18 days at approximately 20°    C.-   Root description: Fine, densely branched, non-fibrous, non-fleshy.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Rounded, compact bush.-   Height: Approximately 150 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 150 cm.-   Stem diameter: Approximately 0.3 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: Approximately 20 per 200 mm length.-   Average lateral branch length: Approximately 4.0 cm.-   Color of lateral branches:    -   -   Mature.—Near RHS Green 138A.        -   Young branches.—Near RHS Greyed-Green 195B.-   Aspect and angle: Straight, occurring at approx. 45 degree angle    from stem.-   Strength of lateral branches: Moderate.-   Internode length: Approximately 1.0 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, sessile.        -   Average length.—Approximately 30 mm.        -   Average width.—Approximately 20 mm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate.        -   Apex.—Mucronate.        -   Base.—Blunt.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.        -   Appearance of top surface.—Glossy.        -   Appearance to bottom surface.—Glossy.        -   Leaf internode length.—10 mm.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS inner color 139A,            outer edge 169A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS inner            color 144B, outer edge 10B. Mature foliage upper side: Near            RHS inner color 187B, mid color 42B, outer edge 187B, in            Winter months. Mature foliage under side: Near RHS inner            color 138B, outer edge 63A.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side:            Indistinguishable from leaf blade. Venation color under            side: Indistinguishable from leaf blade.

FLOWER

-   Not observed to date.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Coprosma has been observed.-   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates low temperatures to    approximately 5° C. and has been observed to tolerate high    temperatures to at least 30° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Coprosma repensplant named ‘IGNITE’ as herein illustrated and described.